Can a mineral pill calm an overactive immune attack on the thyroid?
Effect of selenium on thyroid autoimmunity and regulatory T cells in patients with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis: A prospective randomized‐controlled trial
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Selenium increased Helios expression on regulatory T cells — a mechanism never before shown in Hashimoto’s patients.
Most people think selenium just acts as an antioxidant — but this study proves it directly enhances immune regulation at the cellular level, which was previously theoretical.
Practical Takeaways
If you have Hashimoto’s and aren’t on thyroid medication, consider taking 200 mcg/day of selenium yeast for 6 months — and get your serum selenium tested before and after.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Selenium increased Helios expression on regulatory T cells — a mechanism never before shown in Hashimoto’s patients.
Most people think selenium just acts as an antioxidant — but this study proves it directly enhances immune regulation at the cellular level, which was previously theoretical.
Practical Takeaways
If you have Hashimoto’s and aren’t on thyroid medication, consider taking 200 mcg/day of selenium yeast for 6 months — and get your serum selenium tested before and after.
Publication
Journal
Clinical and Translational Science
Year
2021
Authors
Yifang Hu, W. Feng, Huan-huan Chen, He Shi, Lin Jiang, Xuqin Zheng, Xiaoyun Liu, Wensong Zhang, Yaoqi Ge, Yun Liu, D. Cui
Related Content
Claims (6)
Taking selenium supplements is associated with lower levels of antibodies that attack the thyroid in people diagnosed with autoimmune thyroid disease.
In people with early-stage Hashimoto’s thyroiditis who are not taking thyroid medication, taking 200 micrograms of selenium yeast daily for six months is linked to a small decrease in TSH hormone levels, whereas those not taking selenium experience a small increase.
In people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, taking selenium supplements for six months is associated with an increase in a specific type of immune cell called activated regulatory T cells, as well as higher levels of a protein called Helios on those cells.
In people with Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, taking selenium supplements raises levels of selenium and certain antioxidant proteins in the blood, and these changes are linked to lower levels of thyroid autoantibodies and TSH.
In adults with Hashimoto's thyroiditis who are not taking levothyroxine, taking 200 micrograms of selenium yeast daily for six months is linked to a measurable decrease in two types of thyroid antibodies, while those not taking selenium show no change.